Conversion arrangement for kayak

ABSTRACT

Conversion arrangement for kayak with stabilizer, keel, rudder, and rudder pedals. A functional accessory arrangement for converting a kayak that will use the same kites as the kite surfer&#39;s use for propulsion, the conversion includes a rudder, keel and stabilizer, the stabilizer is designed to keep the kayak upright even if the kite is 90 degrees to the vessels beam and it allows the kayak to tack into the wind.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of sailing, and more specifically to sail conversion arrangement for kayak.

Watercraft sports have become increasingly popular particularly in areas where the wind is blowing at a constant. Wind driven watercraft can be categorized into a couple of major categories. The first is a mast and sail type of craft like the traditional sail boat or winbsurfer. In this type of craft a mast is mounted to the boat and supports one or more sails that can be positioned around the mast to take full advantage of the wind. Wind surfing requires excellent balance, upper body strength, as well as a strong back and legs and the ability to stand upright for long periods at a time, thus, limiting the number of potential participants in the sport.

Another category includes craft that deploy a “kite” type of sail on a line and without the use of a mast. Attempts to adapt this type of sail to small craft such as canoes and kayaks have met with limited success, however, primarily because of difficulties in maintaining the kite in the proper position relative to the boat to effectively capture the wind, and because the boat can be capsized by the sail if the boat rotates its away from the direction of the wind. This is particularly true of kayaks, which require excellent balance to avoid tipping. There have been all kinds of innovations for kayaks that use sails like on sailboats for propulsion, even single line kites have been used on kayaks but all are slow going, and care must be taken to not tip the kayak over. To minimize the possibility of the kite tipping the kayak or canoe, the kite is kept to a relatively small size to limit the capsizing forces exerted on the boat.

This invention fixes this problem where great speeds can be achieved and another element added to kayaking.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a conversion for kayaks to use a steerable kite.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conversion for kayaks to use a stabilizer to keep the kayak upright even if the kite is 90 degrees to the beam of the vessel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conversion for kayaks that will tack into the wind.

A further object of the invention is to provide a conversion for kayaks that adds a element to kayaking.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed conversion arrangement for kayak comprising: stabilizer, keel, rudder, and rudder pedals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view that shows the seat and the relative position of the stabilizer.

FIG. 2 is a side plan view that shows the rudder, keel and stabilizer.

FIG. 3 is a fore aft plan view that shows the stabilizer, rudder and keel.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a quick release assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. One preferred embodiment includes the invention mounted to a kayak, and will be described now.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a kayak 22 having fore and aft end, and a seat 21. A transverse stabilizer bar 20 is mounted to the kayak 22. In one embodiment bar 20 is mounted using quick release pins 23 and 24 to permit quick and easy disconnection of the kite from the kayak if necessary. (See FIG. 4) Quick releases 23 and 24 can be of any suitable design, and the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular form of quick release. A slider 27 is mounted on bar 20, and provides a ring or other device for connecting kite line 10 to the apparatus. Slider 27 moves along bar 20 responsive to changes in wind or boat direction. In doing so, rotational moments around the longitudinal axis of the boat are reduced or eliminated, and the likelihood of the kayak being capsized is greatly reduced. This permits the use of larger kites or sailing in higher winds than is otherwise possible. In the embodiment shown, slider stops 20 and 26 are mounted on bar 20, and limit the side-to-side travel of slider 27. Slider stops 20 and 26 can be adjustable, or can be fixed in position.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a stabilizer 30, a keel 31, a rudder 32, a seat 33, and the kayak 34. Keel 31 is preferably mounted to the bottom of the hull of kayak 34 using bolts or another suitable method. Rudder 32 is rotatably mounted to keel 31, and is operable by the use of ropes or lines attached to foot pedals as is commonly practiced in sea kayaks for example. In other embodiments rudder 31 can be mounted on the stern of kayak 34, as is done with sea kayaks.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of kayak 46 as shown in FIG. 1, and again showing the stabilizer 40 the kayak 41 and the rudder and keel 42.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A sailing rig for a boat comprising: a transverse member mounted on the kayak; a slidable bracket mounted on the transverse member; and, a sail attached to the slidable bracket and operable to propel the boat.
 2. A sailing rig for a boat according to claim 1 further comprising the slidable bracket operable along the transverse member responsive to change in wind direction.
 3. A sailing rig for a boat according to claim 2 further comprising the slidable bracket operable along the transverse member between a first position adjacent the left edge of the boat and a second position adjacent the right edge of the boat.
 4. A sailing rig for a boat according to claim 1 further comprising a keel member mounted on the boat.
 5. A sailing rig for a boat according to claim 1 further comprising a rudder member mounted on the boat.
 6. A sailing rig for a boat according to claim 1 wherein the boat is selected from the group consisting of a kayak, a canoe, and rowboat, and a sailboat.
 7. A sailing rig for a boat according to claim 1 wherein the sail is a kite. 